Relief was definitely in sight for anyone who complained “Oh, my aching feet” at Macy’s Cherry Creek the night the store hosted another of its Shoe Diva parties.
This time around it was a benefit for the benefit of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and any guest who wished could enjoy foot massages and pedicures, courtesy of Frizz Salon. There also was a fashion show in which pro and guest models showed off fall fashions and the footwear with which to accessorize it.Roweena Naidoo, for example, chose suede boots from Michael Kors to go with her Lauren by Ralph Lauren ensemble. Originally from South Africa, Naidoo is the Women’s Foundation program manager. Board member Debbie Jessup; Comcast community relations manager Ruth Rohs; Xcelente Marketing chief Toti Cadavid; and Ana Kemp, who chairs the foundation’s PEP (Power of Extended Philanthropy) Club also took turns on the runway.
The 100 guests also enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Whirled Peas Catering, and Barefoot wines.
Attorney Mary Stuart, who chairs the foundation board, explained that the WFCO began 21 years ago by Dottie Lamm and Swanee Hunt in an effort to improve the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls throughout Colorado. Its next fund-raiser, a luncheon featuring Joy Behar of “The View,” is to be held Nov. 13 at the Colorado Convention Center. Arlene Hirschfeld and Caz Matthews are the co-chairs; Carol Burt, Margie Gart and Fred Taylor head the corporate committee; and Aetna is the presenting sponsor. Only a few tickets remain.
Shoe divas enjoying the Macy’s hospitality included Luis Colon; Mary Schaefer with daughter Amy Slothower; Sandy Stein; Angela Baier; Jerilyn Delzell; Sarah Krause; Polly Lestikow; Eve Powell; Carolyn Kemp; and Julie George.
For additional information about the WFCO, or to buy tickets for the November luncheon, visit wfco.org or call Susan Walters at 303-285-2965.

Pictures taken at the Shoe Diva party can be viewed at denverpost.com/seengallery

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

The Be Bold awards, presented at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s 20th anniversary luncheon, went to 20 who are positively impacting the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in Colorado. The recipients are:

Jennifer Atler was named executive director of Invest in Kids in 2000. Under her leadership, Invest in Kids helped to secure state funding for Nurse-Family Partnership, a home visitation program that serves families in 52 counties. Under Atler’s direction, Invest in Kids also has established a highly effective preschool program across the state.

Patricia Barela Rivera is the U.S. Small Business Administration district director in Colorado, managing the implementation of economic and outreach programs for the small business community, lenders, resource partners, and the minority and women’s communities. Under her leadership the Colorado district office has received several national honors.

Janet Beardsley has been executive director of the YWCA of Boulder County for nearly 21 years, growing the organization to one with a million-dollar balanced budget serving 4,000 women, girls, and families annually. In 2006, the YWCA of Boulder County completed a $2.5 million capital campaign. They money was used to double the capacity of the YWCA by adding a second story flagship building.

Michele A. Bloom was the first dean of the University of Denver Women’s College, region’s only all-women’s higher education program that serves adult women students in four undergraduate degree programs. Bloom is credited with driving the institution’s mission: The transformation of women’s lives through education. She has served on numerous advisory committees and boards of directors of community organizations in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Mary Carraher, who has been the executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency in Fort Collins for the past 17 years. Under her leadership, Project Self-Sufficiency has created innovative programs such as Cars for Families, volunteer car repair, child care scholarships and self-esteem building classes. Carraher is a member of the Women and Family Action Network sponsored by the Women’s Foundation of Colorado.

Susie Davis of the Vail Valley Youth Foundation has been engaged in issues facing families in Eagle County for more than 25 years. Davis has had leadership roles with many causes, including the Public Education Foundation, Eagle River Youth Coalition, RSVP Advisory Board, CASA of the Continental Divide, Eagle County for Human Rights, the Salvation Army, Business Education Partnership, Child Protection Team, Eagle County Schools, early childhood issues, local political campaigns and initiatives, and the Women’s Foundation.

Andrea Duran, student leader program coordinator for Open World Learning, works in the community in which she grew up and believes it is her turn to give back. She is deeply committed to bringing out the best in each child, and leads by example, demonstrating that despite the many challenges life brings, working hard builds character and strength. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Jean East, co-founder of Project WISE, is an associate professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. She has contributed leadership and research for the benefit of women who experience poverty, domestic violence, mental illness and isolation by promoting community organizing, program development and transformational social change. Project WISE seeks to empower low-income Colorado women.

Chelley Gardner-Smith, president of the board of Partners in Housing, Colorado Springs, is a drama teacher at Mountain Ridge Middle School and an adjunct professor at Regis University. Having been a homeless mother herself and graduate of Partners in Housing, she is a good role model for the homeless families looking to obtain permanent housing and economic self-sufficiency.

Laurie Harvey has been executive director of CWEE (the Center for Work Education and Employment) since 1988. CWEE, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, assists single parents and low-income adults to enter the workforce. Harvey has been on the front lines for policy development and program implementation in the areas of welfare reform and workforce development, both locally and nationally. She is on several community boards and is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Denver.

Carmen Hubbsis the executive director of the Archuleta County Victim Assistance Program. She began her career in human services in 1995 working with at-risk youth, many of whom had horrific histories of abuse and neglect. This experience ignited her passion for her current work as a victim advocate.

Susan Kenney, co-founder of Project WISE, has contributed to the Colorado community by providing strengths-based mental health treatment and advocacy for women and children. She has instructed graduate students in the human service fields, and has helped lead efforts to address issues impacting low-income women.

Heather Lurie is the director of strategic development for The White House Project, an organization dedicated to advancing a diverse, critical mass of women into leadership in many sectors. She is also a lawyer, consultant and volunteer working with grassroots nonprofits and political organizations on strategic planning, board development, fundraising and organizing. She also serves on the steering committee of the Center for Women’s Health Research.

Cydney Marsico president and CEO of the Cydney and Tom Marsico Family Foundation which since its inception in 1998 has made a significant impact on numerous organizations within the focus areas of education, youth services, homelessness and housing. Cydney, and the foundation she directs, are widely credited with the stabilization and growth of Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver, providing leadership to their successful capital campaign and serving on the organization’s board of directors from 1996-2006.

Leigh McGown-Kauffman of the Aspen-based Yampah Teen Parent Program, began her career as a ninth-grade teacher in Durango. Inspired to affect positive change in the town’s diverse population, she identified teen mothers among the high school’s students who were desperately in need of support. Since 1997, she has influenced teen parents in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys as the director of the Infant and Toddler programs and also as a student advisor at Yampah Mountain High School.

Linda Meric is the director of 9to5, National Association of Working Women, an inclusive, multi-racial organization seeking to strengthen the ability of low-wage women to win economic justice. Meric helped found 9to5 Colorado in 1996 and served as the chapter’s director until the fall of 2004, when she became 9to5’s national director. 9to5 Colorado became one of the largest and most impactful chapters under her leadership.

Yolanda Russell, chair of KeyBank’s Key4Women Program, has 30 years experience in the banking industry and is a business banking team leader at KeyBank. Key4Women provides business solutions and networking opportunities for women business owners. Russell is affiliated with NAWBO, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center, and is a past board member of the Falcons Youth Organization.

Toni Schmid is the founder and executive director of Work Options for Women, a culinary job training program for women living in poverty. She holds an M.S.W. degree from the University of Denver and has 17 years experience in non-profit management and in creating programs for women living in poverty. During her second year in graduate school, she co-founded The Gathering Place and was its first executive director.

Elizabeth Suarez is the co-president of the Adelante Mujer board of directors, an organization that provides training to young Latinas in the Denver metro area. She helped found one of the organization’s most popular events, the LaTEENa Conference. Suarez is a member of the Girls, Inc. board of directors and is a delegate for the Junior Achievement Hispanic Initiative National Advisory Board. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Laura Tyson, is the founder of The Women’s Wilderness Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building courage, confidence, and leadership for girls and women. In her 10 years as executive director, she integrated her previous experience as an outdoor educator and psychotherapist specializing in women’s issues to develop a new model of outdoor education that recognizes the needs and developmental issues of teen girls.

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com.